This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS KUWAIT 003529
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MOPS PREL ELAB EG KU IZ
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR BAGHDAD'S ASSISTANCE IN OBTAINING
DEATH CERTIFICATES FOR MISSING EGYPTIAN DRIVERS
REF: A. KUWAIT 3413
B. CAIRO 7326
1. This is an action request for Embassy Baghdad; please see
para 4.
2. As reported in Ref A, Embassy Kuwait received a letter
from Major General Gary D. Speer, Deputy Commanding General
of the Coalition Forces Land Component Command (CFLCC),
requesting post's assistance in resolving the cases of three
Egyptian drivers presumed to have been killed while driving
in Iraq (text repeated in para 4). CFLCC is asking for
Government of Egypt (GOE) help in providing death
certificates for the three men, so that a death benefit of
approximately $34,000 may be paid to each man's next-of-kin.
3. Post is grateful for Embassy's Cairo's assistance in
raising this issue with the GOE (Ref B). Both Embassy Cairo
and the Egyptian Embassy in Kuwait, however, have advised us
that the Egyptian Embassy in Baghdad is responsible for
issuing the death certificates.
4. ACTION REQUEST. Post requests that Embassy Baghdad
approach the Egyptian Embassy regarding the death of their
nationals in Iraq, and convey CFLCC's request for official
death certificates. END ACTION REQUEST.
5. (U) BEGIN TEXT OF LETTER.
September 15, 2004
Department of the Army, Coalition Forces Land Component
Command
United States Army Central Command
Camp Arifjan, Kuwait
Office of the Deputy Commanding General
Matthew H. Tueller
Charge d'Affaires
Embassy of the United States of America
Kuwait City, Kuwait
Dear Mr. Tueller:
Thank you for the Country Team's continued support of the
Coalition Forces Land Component Command. Embassy involvement
in the foreign national driver crisis has been critical in
moving this issue forward. As a related matter, request your
assistance in the cases of three Egyptian drivers who were
killed in action while driving in Iraq for our host nation
contractors.
Missing since April 11, 2004, Egyptian truck drivers, Mr.
Ibrahim Moussa, PP Number 792387, and Galal El Sayet Osman,
PP Number 488960, worked under United States Army Contract
Number W912D1-04-D-0001 for Ahamadah General Trading and
Contracting Company. Also, Habshy Elsayed, PP Number
1438858, worked under United States Army Contract Number
W912D1-04-D-004 for IAP, Incorporated and has been missing
since April 26, 2004.
These men have been missing since the convoys they were
traveling in came under hostile fire from anti-coalition
forces. Although their bodies were not recovered, the nature
of the attack and the extent of the damage to these
individuals and their vehicles were such that they are
presumed to be dead. Our deepest sympathy and sorrow is
respectfully given to their families.
These drivers' employment contracts provided for a death
gratuity in the amount of 10,000 Kuwaiti Dinar per person.
Request assistance with the Egyptian Embassy in obtaining
Government of Egypt death declarations (death certificates)
for these men, so the death gratuities can be provided to
their next of kin.
Respectfully,
Gary D. Speer
Major General, US Army
Deputy Commanding General
END TEXT OF LETTER
6. (U) Baghdad minimize considered.
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(U) Visit Embassy Kuwait's classified website
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/
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LeBaron